What is Quickmelt Cheese?

Quickmelt cheese, also known as processed cheese or prepared cheese, refers to a type of cheese product made by blending natural cheeses with other ingredients. It is designed to melt smoothly when heated.

Quickmelt cheese is a shelf-stable product that can be stored at room temperature until opened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and used within a short period. It provides a creamy, smooth melting texture when heated, making it popular for grilled cheese, nachos, burgers, pasta dishes and more.

How Quickmelt Cheese is Made

Quickmelt cheese goes through a process called pasteurization. This involves heating the cheese to high temperatures to kill off bacteria and extend shelf life. Here are the main steps:

• Natural cheeses like cheddar, colby, swiss or gouda are shredded and blended together.
• Emulsifying salts like sodium citrate are added to help the fats and proteins bind together smoothly when melted.
• The cheese mixture is heated and stirred until it becomes a homogeneous liquid with a smooth, creamy texture.
• Other ingredients may be added for flavor and texture like milk, whey, cream, butter, seasonings, preservatives or stabilizers.
• The liquid cheese is poured into molds and allowed to cool and solidify into blocks.
• The finished blocks of quickmelt cheese are sliced and packaged for sale.

Key Takeaway: Quickmelt cheese goes through a process of blending natural cheeses with emulsifiers and heating to create a smooth, homogeneous product.

Differences from Natural Cheese

Quickmelt cheese differs from regular natural cheese in a few key ways:

• Shelf stability - Natural cheese needs refrigeration. Quickmelt can sit unrefrigerated until opened due to the pasteurization process.
• Texture - Natural cheese becomes stringy or clumpy when melted. Quickmelt blends smoothly into a creamy liquid.
• Meltability - Natural cheeses melt at varying rates. Quickmelt contains emulsifiers to guarantee an easy, smooth melt.
• Flavor - Natural cheese has complex flavors that develop with age. Quickmelt has a uniform, mild flavor since different cheeses are blended.
• Ingredients - Natural cheese consists of milk, enzymes, salt and cultures. Quickmelt contains extra ingredients for texture and shelf life.

So in summary, quickmelt cheese offers great meltability and shelf life compared to natural cheese, at the expense of complex flavor and texture.

Common Uses for Quickmelt Cheese

The smooth melting properties of quickmelt cheese make it a popular choice for cooking, especially where easy meltability is desired. Some common uses include:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A classic grilled cheese relies on cheese that melts quickly and evenly. Quickmelt cheeses like cheddar or American work perfectly here.

Nachos

For nacho cheese sauce, quickmelt cheeses melt into a creamy, drizzable consistency to coat tortilla chips.

Quesadillas

Buried in a quesadilla, quickmelt cheese evenly coats the tortilla when melted, binding ingredients together.

Pasta Dishes

Macaroni and cheese or baked ziti rely on smooth, creamy melted cheese. Quickmelt cheddar or mixes work great.

Pizza

Quickmelt mozzarella guarantees an even melt and browning on pizza without turning rubbery.

Burgers and Hot Dogs

A slice of quickmelt cheese perfectly covers a burger patty or hot dog when melted.

So quickmelt cheese is commonly used where easy melting is needed like grilling, baking or making dips and sauces. The emulsifiers keep the texture smooth.

Comparing Quickmelt Cheese Types

There are many varieties of quickmelt cheese. Some popular options include:

• American - Mild, yellow; all-purpose melting cheese.
• Cheddar - Ranges from mild to sharp in flavor.
• Swiss - Slightly sweet, nutty taste.
• Mozzarella - Stretches when melted; ideal for pizza.
• Monterey Jack - Buttery, slightly tangy flavor.
• Pepper Jack - Monterey Jack with spicy peppers.
• Fiesta Blend - Southwest flavored cheese with peppers.
• Velveeta - Extremely smooth and creamy melt.

So there are many flavor and style options, from mild cheeses to spicy blends. The choice depends on the cooking application and your flavor preferences.

Advantages of Quickmelt Cheese

There are some useful advantages to using quickmelt cheese compared to natural cheese:

• Convenience - No refrigeration needed until opened. Also finds use in slice and shred form.
• Shelf life - Lasts months unopened at room temperature.
• Meltability - Melts smooth every time without oil separation.
• Affordability - Simple processed cheese tends to cost less than gourmet natural cheese.
• Consistency - Uniform flavor and performance every time.

Quickmelt can save time and effort in cooking while providing reliable results. It makes cheesy dishes like nachos, quesadillas, burgers and pasta convenient to prepare.

Potential Downsides to Consider

However, there are some downsides associated with quickmelt cheeses to keep in mind:

• Less complex flavor - Made from cheese blends so flavor is muted compared to premium natural cheeses.
• High in sodium - Contains around 175-350 mg sodium per ounce which adds up fast.
• Contains preservatives - Often includes sorbates, phosphates or citrates to extend shelf life.
• Less nutrition - Can be lower in calcium and protein compared to natural cheese.
• Contains additives - Extra ingredients like stabilizers, emulsifiers, anti-caking agents.
• Highly processed - Heavily processed compared to simple natural cheese.
• Oil separation - Lesser quality products may weep oil when melted.

For those looking for bolder cheese flavor, lower sodium, cleaner ingredients or higher nutrition, natural cheese may be preferential.

Health and Nutrition

Compared to natural cheese, quickmelt cheese tends to contain more sodium, preservatives and stabilizers while providing less protein and calcium.

Serving size: 1 oz (28g)

As a highly processed food, quickmelt cheese offers less nutritional value than minimally processed natural cheese. Still, it can fit into a balanced diet in moderation. Just be mindful of sodium intake.

Buying and Storing Quickmelt Cheese

When shopping for quickmelt cheese, inspect for:

• Consistent color - No unnatural spots or dull, faded areas.
• Good seal - No broken seal, crusting, drying out, holes in packaging.
• Firm texture - Cheese should hold shape; not oozing liquid or oil.
• Readable label - Double check ingredients, expiration date.

Once purchased:

• Refrigerate after opening - Keep sealed at 40°F or below.
• Use quickly - Within 1-2 weeks for best quality and freshness.
• Reseal tightly - Press out excess air and seal package to prevent drying.

Proper storage keeps quickmelt cheese fresh, prevents mold and retains texture. Refrigeration is key after opening.

Is Quickmelt Cheese Healthy?

Compared to natural cheese, quickmelt cheese is more highly processed and contains more additives like emulsifiers and preservatives to achieve its smooth melting texture. However, it can still fit into a balanced diet in moderation. Some tips:

• Read labels - Compare sodium, additives, preservatives
• Control portions - Stick to 1-2 oz servings
• Use sparingly - Limit highly processed foods
• Boost nutrition - Pair with veggies, whole grains
• Minimize highly processed - Rotate with natural cheeses
• Watch sodium - Limit intake if on a low sodium diet

While quickmelt cheese won't ever be considered a health food, those without dietary restrictions can work it into their diet in small amounts. Just be sure to read labels and balance it out with more wholesome foods.

Quickmelt Cheese vs. Natural Cheese

Quickmelt cheese delivers great meltability and shelf life while natural cheese provides bolder flavor, better texture and fewer additives. Depending on the application, one may be more suitable than the other.

Common Quickmelt Cheese Brands

Some well known brands of quickmelt cheese include:

• Kraft - Velveeta Slices, Cracker Barrel
• Tillamook - Slices, shreds, blocks
• Laughing Cow - Spreadable wedges
• Boar's Head - Slices, blocks, shreds
• Sargento - Sliced, shredded, snack cheeses
• Crystal Farms - Shreds, chunks, slices
• Great Value - Budget shredded, sliced
• Kraft Philadelphia - Cream cheese
• Belgioioso - Fresh mozzarella

Many major dairy brands offer quickmelt cheese products from shredded to blocks to individually wrapped slices. They can be found in most grocery stores.

Key Takeaway: Popular quickmelt cheese brands include Kraft, Sargento, Tillamook, Laughing Cow, Boar's Head and Crystal Farms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is quickmelt cheese?

Quickmelt cheese refers to a highly process cheese product made by blending natural cheeses with emulsifying salts and other ingredients to create a homogeneous product that melts smoothly when heated.

What is the difference between quickmelt cheese and regular cheese?

The main differences are that quickmelt cheese has added emulsifiers to make it melt smoothly, requires no refrigeration until opened, and has a much longer shelf life than natural cheese. It is also less expensive but has a less complex, muted flavor.

What is quickmelt cheese made of?

Quickmelt cheese is made by shredding one or more natural cheeses (cheddar, colby, swiss, etc), then blending them with ingredients like emulsifying salts, milk, cream, whey, preservatives and stabilizers to create a cheese product that melts uniformly.

Why does quickmelt cheese melt so easily?

Quickmelt cheese contains emulsifying salts like sodium citrate that act to bind the fat and proteins smoothly together when heated, allowing the cheese to melt without separating or becoming lumpy.

How long does opened quickmelt cheese last in the fridge?

Once opened, blocks of quickmelt cheese will last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Sliced or shredded quickmelt cheese may only last 5-7 days once opened. Make sure to reseal tightly.

Conclusion

Quickmelt cheese refers to a category of highly processed cheese products designed to melt smoothly when heated.

It is made by blending natural cheeses with emulsifiers and other additives to create melting properties.

While quickmelt cheese can be convenient, affordable and useful in cooking, it lacks the depth of flavor, texture and nutrition of less processed natural cheeses.